掻く 30秒了解
- To scratch an itch using nails or a tool.
- To produce sweat (ase) or snoring (ibiki).
- To experience embarrassment or lose face (haji).
- To shovel snow or row a boat using scraping motions.
The Japanese verb 掻く (kaku) is a versatile and essential term that every intermediate learner must master. At its most fundamental level, it refers to the physical act of scratching a surface, typically the skin, using one's fingernails or a tool to relieve an itch. However, its utility in the Japanese language extends far beyond simple dermatology. It encompasses a range of physical actions involving a rhythmic, scraping, or pulling motion, as well as several physiological and metaphorical expressions that are deeply embedded in daily conversation.
- 1. Physical Relief and Grooming
- The most common usage is scratching an itch (痒いところを掻く). This can apply to any part of the body, from the head to the feet. It implies a repetitive motion intended to alleviate discomfort. In a broader physical sense, it also describes animal behaviors, such as a dog scratching its ear or a cat scratching a post (though 'hikkaku' is often used for sharp clawing).
- 2. Physiological Functions
- Interestingly, 'kaku' is used for bodily functions that involve 'expelling' or 'producing' something through effort or involuntary action. The most frequent are 汗をかく (ase o kaku) meaning 'to sweat' and いびきをかく (ibiki o kaku) meaning 'to snore'. These are fixed collocations; you cannot use 'suru' or 'yaru' for these actions. Think of it as the body 'scraping out' the sweat or the sound.
- 3. Metaphorical and Social Expressions
- One of the most important idioms for B1 learners is 恥をかく (haji o kaku), which means 'to lose face' or 'to be embarrassed'. This suggests that shame is something one 'incurs' or 'scrapes onto' oneself in a social setting. Another common one is べそをかく (beso o kaku), referring to the facial contortion one makes when about to cry, particularly used for children.
蚊に刺されたところをあまり掻かないほうがいいですよ。 (It is better not to scratch the place where the mosquito bit you.)
Beyond the skin, 'kaku' appears in manual labor contexts. For example, 掻き回す (kaki-mawasu) means to stir or churn something vigorously, like a pot of soup or a situation. 掻き出す (kaki-dasu) means to scrape something out, like cleaning out a gutter. In snowy regions, 雪をかく (yuki o kaku) is a common way to describe shoveling or clearing snow, emphasizing the scraping motion of the shovel against the ground. This verb is deeply tied to the physical sensation of friction and movement across a surface.
彼は人前で大恥をかいてしまった。 (He ended up embarrassing himself greatly in public.)
Understanding 'kaku' requires looking past the single English definition of 'scratch'. It is a verb of action and production. Whether you are producing sweat, producing a sound while sleeping, or producing a social blunder, the common thread is the manifestation of an internal state or physical necessity through a 'scraping' or 'drawing out' action. This makes it one of the most expressive verbs for describing human experiences and physical interactions with the world.
Using 掻く (kaku) correctly involves understanding its transitive nature and its specific collocations. As a Godan verb (Group 1), it conjugates regularly: kaku (dictionary), kakimasu (polite), kaite (te-form), kakanai (negative). The particle を (o) is almost always used to indicate the object being scratched or the thing being produced (like sweat or shame).
- Case 1: Physical Itching
- When your skin is itchy (kayui), you use 'kaku'.
Example:背中が痒いので、孫の手で掻いた。(My back was itchy, so I scratched it with a backscratcher.) - Case 2: Physiological Production
- For sweating and snoring, 'kaku' is the only natural verb.
Example:運動した後は、たくさん汗をかきます。(After exercising, I sweat a lot.)
Example:父はいびきをかいて寝ている。(My father is sleeping while snoring.) - Case 3: Social/Emotional Idioms
- These are fixed phrases. You don't 'make' shame; you 'scratch' (incur) it.
Example:テストで名前を書き忘れて恥をかいた。(I forgot to write my name on the test and embarrassed myself.)
頭をかきながら、彼は謝った。 (He apologized while scratching his head.)
In advanced usage, 'kaku' can describe the action of rowing a boat (櫂をかく - kai o kaku) or clearing snow (雪をかく - yuki o kaku). In both cases, there is a rhythmic, pulling force applied to a medium (water or snow). Notice how the movement remains the same: a repetitive scraping or pulling toward oneself or across a surface.
When describing someone else's behavior, especially snoring or sweating, it is often used in the progressive 〜ている (-te iru) form to indicate an ongoing state or habit. For example, 彼はいつも寝ている時にいびきをかいている。 (He is always snoring when he sleeps.) This emphasizes the continuity of the action during the duration of sleep.
You will encounter 掻く (kaku) in a variety of real-life settings in Japan, ranging from casual home life to medical environments and literary descriptions. Because it covers both mundane physical needs and complex social emotions, its frequency is quite high.
- At the Clinic (Dermatology)
- If you visit a skin doctor (皮膚科 - hifuka) for a rash or eczema, the doctor will almost certainly ask:
「痒くても掻かないでくださいね。」(Please don't scratch, even if it's itchy.) You might also hear掻き壊す (kaki-kowasu), which means to scratch so much that the skin breaks or gets damaged. - In Daily Conversation
- Friends often complain about the heat by saying
「暑くて汗をかいちゃった。」(It was so hot I ended up sweating.) Or, if someone is sleeping loudly on a train, a companion might whisper「いびきをかいてるよ、恥ずかしい！」(You're snoring, it's embarrassing!) - In Anime and Manga
- Character tropes often involve 'kaku'. A shy or embarrassed character will often scratch the back of their head (後頭部を掻く) while blushing. This visual shorthand is accompanied by the verb in descriptions or dialogue like
「ポリポリと頭を掻く」(scratching one's head with a 'pori-pori' sound effect).
冬になると肌が乾燥して、つい掻いてしまいます。 (In winter, my skin gets dry and I accidentally end up scratching it.)
In business settings, you might hear the idiom あぐらをかく (agura o kaku). While literally meaning 'to sit cross-legged', its metaphorical meaning is 'to rest on one's laurels' or to become complacent because of one's position. For example, a company that stops innovating might be described as 「過去の成功にあぐらをかいている」 (resting on the laurels of past success).
While 掻く (kaku) is a common verb, its homophones and specific collocations can lead to several frequent errors for English speakers. Because the sound 'kaku' is shared by many high-frequency verbs, context and kanji are your best friends.
- 1. Confusing Homophones (The 'Kaku' Trio)
- The most common mistake is mixing up 掻く (scratch), 書く (write), and 描く (draw/paint). While they sound identical in isolation, their usage is strictly different. You cannot 'write' an itch or 'scratch' a letter. Always check the kanji: 掻 (scratch) has the hand radical 扌 on the left, which signifies physical action.
- 2. Overusing 'Kaku' for 'Scratch'
- In English, we 'scratch' a car or 'scratch' a surface to damage it. In Japanese, if you mean 'to leave a scratch mark' or 'to claw', the verb 引っ掻く (hikkaku) is often more appropriate. 'Kaku' usually implies the repetitive motion for relief or the production of sweat/snoring. If a cat scratches you, use
猫に引っ掻かれた(neko ni hikkakareta). - 3. Incorrect Verb for Bodily Functions
- English speakers often try to use 'suru' (to do) for sweating or snoring because we think of them as things the body 'does'. Saying
*汗をするor*いびきをするis a major error. You must use 'kaku'. Memorize these as single units:汗をかくandいびきをかく.
✕ 汗をしました。
○ 汗をかきました。 (I sweated.)
Another mistake is confusing 'kaku' with 'kosuru' (to rub). If you have something in your eye, you 'rub' it (me o kosuru). If your skin is itchy, you 'scratch' it (hada o kaku). Using 'kaku' on your eye would imply using your fingernails, which sounds very painful and dangerous to a Japanese speaker!
To truly master 掻く (kaku), you must understand how it differs from other verbs involving physical contact or production. Japanese is rich in specific verbs for touch and movement.
- 掻く (Kaku) vs. 擦る (Kosuru)
- Kaku: Specifically involves nails or a tool to relieve an itch or scrape a surface. It is rhythmic and sharp.
Kosuru: To rub. This is a broader term for moving one surface against another (like rubbing your eyes or rubbing two sticks together). It doesn't necessarily involve nails or an itch. - 掻く (Kaku) vs. 引っ掻く (Hikkaku)
- Kaku: General scratching, often for relief or production.
Hikkaku: To claw or scratch deeply, often causing a wound. This is the verb used for cat scratches or accidentally scratching the paint on a car with a key. The 'hi-' prefix adds intensity and direction. - 掻く (Kaku) vs. 撫でる (Naderu)
- Kaku: Rough, fingernail-based action.
Naderu: To stroke or pet. This is a gentle, soothing motion using the palm of the hand. You 'naderu' a dog's head to show love, but you 'kaku' its ears if it has an itch.
痒いところを掻くのと、優しく撫でるのでは、感じ方が全く違います。 (Scratching an itch and gently stroking it feel completely different.)
In terms of bodily production, while 'kaku' is used for sweat and snoring, other verbs are used for other fluids. For example, you 'shed' tears (namida o nagasu) and 'blow' your nose (hana o kamu). Understanding these specific pairings is key to sounding natural. You can't 'kaku' tears unless you are literally scratching your eyes!
Finally, consider the compound verb 掻き消す (kakikesu). This means to 'scratch out' or drown out, usually referring to a sound or a memory. For example, 「都会の騒音が彼の声を掻き消した。」 (The city noise drowned out his voice.) This shows the 'kaku' motion acting as a force of removal or suppression.
How Formal Is It?
趣味小知识
The kanji 掻 combines the hand radical (扌) with a character that originally meant 'flea' or 'pest' (though the modern version is slightly different), emphasizing the act of scratching an itch caused by a bug.
发音指南
- Pronouncing it like 'cake' or 'cock'.
- Stressing the 'ku' instead of the 'ka'.
- Confusing the pitch with 'kaku' (to write), which is Heiban (Type 0: ka-KŪ).
难度评级
The kanji 掻 is N2 level, but the word itself is B1/N3. Learners often see it in hiragana.
The kanji 掻 is complex with many strokes in the right-side component.
Easy to pronounce, but requires remembering specific collocations.
Must distinguish from 'write' and 'draw' based on context.
接下来学什么
前置知识
接下来学习
高级
需要掌握的语法
Transitive Verbs with を
背中を掻く。 (Scratch the back.)
Compound Verbs (V1 stem + V2)
掻き回す (kaki-mawasu - scratch + turn = stir).
-te shimau (Regret/Completion)
恥をかいてしまった。 (I ended up embarrassed.)
Causative (Making someone do something)
彼に恥をかかせる。 (Make him embarrassed.)
Nagara (Simultaneous actions)
頭をかきながら謝る。 (Apologize while scratching one's head.)
按水平分级的例句
背中を掻いてください。
Please scratch my back.
Uses the -te kudasai form for a request.
蚊に刺されたところを掻いた。
I scratched the mosquito bite.
Simple past tense of kaku.
痒いから掻かないで。
It's itchy, but don't scratch.
-nai de is a negative command/request.
猫が頭を掻いています。
The cat is scratching its head.
Progressive form -te iru.
どこを掻いていますか？
Where are you scratching?
Question form with 'doko'.
強く掻くと痛いです。
It hurts if you scratch hard.
Conditional 'to' indicating a natural result.
孫の手で掻きます。
I scratch with a backscratcher.
'de' indicates the tool used.
ちょっと掻いてもいいですか？
Is it okay if I scratch a little?
-te mo ii desu ka for permission.
暑くて汗をかきました。
It was hot, so I sweated.
'ase o kaku' is a fixed phrase for sweating.
彼は寝ている時にいびきをかきます。
He snores when he is sleeping.
'ibiki o kaku' is a fixed phrase for snoring.
冬は毎日雪かきをします。
I shovel snow every day in winter.
'yuki-kaki' is a noun derived from the verb kaku.
恥をかきたくないです。
I don't want to embarrass myself.
'haji o kaku' means to lose face/be embarrassed.
たくさん汗をかいたので、シャワーを浴びます。
I sweated a lot, so I'll take a shower.
'node' indicates reason.
そんなにいびきをかかないで。
Don't snore that much.
Negative request form.
彼は恥をかいて赤くなった。
He embarrassed himself and turned red.
Sequential actions.
スポーツをしていい汗をかこう。
Let's play sports and have a good sweat.
Volitional form -ou.
人前で恥をかいてしまった。
I ended up embarrassing myself in public.
-te shimau indicates regret.
彼は過去の成功にあぐらをかいている。
He is resting on his laurels of past success.
Idiom: agura o kaku (to be complacent).
赤ん坊がべそをかいている。
The baby is on the verge of tears.
Idiom: beso o kaku.
ボートの櫂を一生懸命かいた。
I rowed the oars of the boat with all my might.
'kai o kaku' means to row.
スープをよく掻き回してください。
Please stir the soup well.
Compound verb: kaki-mawasu (to stir).
彼は頭をかきながら困った顔をした。
He made a troubled face while scratching his head.
-nagara indicates simultaneous actions.
嘘がばれて恥をかいた。
The lie was discovered, and I was embarrassed.
Passive 'barete' (being exposed).
泥棒は鍵穴を掻き回して開けようとした。
The thief tried to open the lock by fiddling with it.
'kaki-mawasu' used for fiddling/stirring.
都会の喧騒が彼女の声を掻き消した。
The city's hustle and bustle drowned out her voice.
Compound verb: kaki-kesu (to drown out).
彼は自分の間違いを棚に上げて、あぐらをかいている。
He ignores his own mistakes and acts superior.
Combination of two idioms.
溝にたまった泥を掻き出した。
I scraped out the mud collected in the gutter.
Compound verb: kaki-dasu (to scrape out).
そんなことで恥をかく必要はない。
There is no need to feel embarrassed about such a thing.
'hitsuyou wa nai' (no need).
選手たちは激しく水をかいて進んだ。
The athletes pushed forward, vigorously pulling the water.
Metaphorical use for swimming strokes.
彼は一生懸命に雪をかいて道を空けた。
He worked hard shoveling snow to clear the path.
Focus on the effort of the action.
彼女は悔しさのあまり、べそをかいた。
She was so frustrated she was on the verge of tears.
'amari' (too much / so... that).
情報を掻き集めてレポートを完成させた。
I scraped together information and finished the report.
Compound verb: kaki-atsumeru (to scrape together).
その騒音は、私の思考を掻き乱した。
That noise disturbed my thoughts.
Compound verb: kaki-midasu (to disturb/disrupt).
彼はかつての栄光にあぐらをかき、努力を怠った。
He rested on his former glory and neglected his efforts.
Formal literary tone.
彼女は人前で大恥をかかされた。
She was made to feel greatly embarrassed in public.
Causative-passive form: kaka-sareta.
古い書類の中から、有力な証拠を掻き出した。
I unearthed (scraped out) significant evidence from the old documents.
Metaphorical use of kaki-dasu.
波をかき分けて進む船の姿は美しかった。
The sight of the ship pushing through the waves was beautiful.
Compound verb: kaki-wakeru (to push through/part).
彼は冷や汗をかきながら、尋問に答えた。
He answered the interrogation while breaking out in a cold sweat.
'hiya-ase o kaku' (to break into a cold sweat).
その一言が、静寂を掻き消した。
That single word shattered the silence.
Literary use of kaki-kesu.
彼は泥にまみれながら、必死に土をかいた。
Covered in mud, he frantically scraped at the earth.
Emphasizing the raw physical action.
権力にあぐらをかく政治家たちに、国民の怒りが爆発した。
The public's anger exploded against the politicians who were complacent in their power.
Highly formal/political usage of agura o kaku.
静謐な空気を掻き乱すような、鋭い叫び声が響いた。
A sharp scream echoed, as if to disturb the tranquil atmosphere.
Sophisticated literary vocabulary (seihitsu).
彼は自らの無知をさらけ出し、末代までの恥をかいた。
He exposed his own ignorance and brought shame upon himself for generations.
Idiomatic expression: matsudai made no haji.
荒波をかき分けて進むその意志は、誰にも止められなかった。
Nothing could stop his will as he pushed through the rough waves.
Abstract metaphorical usage.
情報の断片を掻き集め、真実のジグソーパズルを完成させる。
Scraping together fragments of information to complete the jigsaw puzzle of truth.
Complex metaphorical imagery.
彼は、自らの過ちを掻き消そうとするかのように働き続けた。
He continued to work as if trying to blot out his own mistakes.
'~ka no you ni' (as if).
その一瞬の躊躇が、全ての計画を掻き回してしまった。
That moment of hesitation threw all the plans into chaos.
Abstract use of kaki-mawasu.
古の記録を掻き分ければ、忘れ去られた真実が見えてくる。
If one sifts through (scrapes through) ancient records, the forgotten truths will appear.
Conditional 'eba' with metaphorical motion.
常见搭配
常用短语
— To suffer a great embarrassment or lose a lot of face.
スピーチで失敗して大恥をかいた。
— To cause someone else to be embarrassed or lose face.
彼は私に恥をかかせた。
— To do some physical work or exercise to sweat a little.
仕事の前に一汗かこう。
— To have night sweats while sleeping.
風邪をひいて寝汗をかいた。
— To be drowned out (usually a sound or voice).
声が雨の音に掻き消された。
— To scrape together or gather up items quickly.
落ち葉を掻き集める。
— To disturb, disrupt, or throw into disorder.
静かな生活を掻き乱された。
— To push aside or part things (like a crowd or bushes) to move through.
人混みを掻き分けて進む。
— To scrape out or shovel out something from a container or space.
灰を掻き出す。
— To stir up or incite (like curiosity or fire).
好奇心を掻き立てる。
容易混淆的词
To write. Identical pronunciation but different kanji and pitch accent.
To draw or paint. Identical pronunciation (kaku) but different kanji.
To lack or chip. Identical pronunciation but different kanji and meaning.
习语与表达
— Literally to sit cross-legged, but metaphorically to be complacent or rest on one's laurels.
地位にあぐらをかいてはいけない。
Neutral/Business— To be embarrassed or lose face in a social situation.
知らないと言って恥をかいた。
Neutral— To be on the verge of crying, usually used for children or in a slightly mocking way.
転んでべそをかいている。
Informal— To fail miserably or make a mess of things (older idiom).
大事な場面で味噌をかいた。
Archaic/Regional— Literally to cut someone's throat while they sleep; metaphorically to betray someone when they are vulnerable.
仲間に寝首をかかれた。
Literary/Dramatic— (Related to production) To give someone a nasty surprise/scare.
ライバルに一泡吹かせてやった。
Informal— (Related to kaku action) To wait for an opportunity with sharp anticipation.
復讐の爪を研ぐ。
Literary— (Archaic) To commit suicide by cutting one's throat or to be beheaded.
武士は潔く首をかいた。
Historical— (Alternative to haji o kaku) To bring disgrace to someone's name.
親の顔に泥を塗るな。
Neutral— (Regional/Rare) To get angry or take offense.
つまらないことで腹をかくな。
Dialect容易混淆
Both involve moving the hand across a surface.
Kaku uses nails/tools for an itch; kosuru uses the palm or broad surface for rubbing.
目を擦る (rub eyes) vs. 背中を掻く (scratch back).
Both mean 'scratch'.
Hikkaku is more forceful, often implying a wound or single sharp motion (like a cat). Kaku is repetitive for relief or production.
猫に引っ掻かれた (scratched by a cat).
Both involve touching skin with a hand.
Naderu is gentle and affectionate; kaku is rough and functional.
頭を撫でる (pet head) vs. 頭を掻く (scratch head).
Both involve a repetitive motion on a surface.
Migaku is to polish or clean; kaku is to scratch or produce.
靴を磨く (polish shoes).
Both involve using fingers/nails on a surface.
Mushiru is to pluck or pull off; kaku is to scrape across.
草を毟る (pluck grass).
句型
[Body part] を かく。
あたまをかく。
[Ase/Ibiki] を かく。
あせをかく。
[Haji] を かく。
はずかしいので、はじをかきたくない。
[Tool] で [Body part] を かく。
まごのてでせなかをかく。
[V-stem] ＋ かき〜
スープをかきまわす。
[Haji] を かかされる。
みんなのまえではじをかかされた。
[Metaphorical Object] を 掻き消す。
なみのおとが、わたしのこえをかきけした。
[Abstract Concept] に あぐらをかく。
かこのえいこうにあぐらをかく。
词族
名词
动词
形容词
相关
如何使用
Highly frequent in daily life, especially in summer (sweat) or winter (snow/dry skin).
-
汗をする (ase o suru)
→
汗をかく (ase o kaku)
Bodily outputs like sweat and snoring always use 'kaku', not 'suru'.
-
痒いから擦る (kayui kara kosuru)
→
痒いから掻く (kayui kara kaku)
'Kosuru' is rubbing; 'kaku' is scratching an itch with nails.
-
車をかいた (kuruma o kaita)
→
車に傷をつけた / 引っ掻いた
'Kaku' is for itches/production; 'hikkaku' is for damaging surfaces.
-
恥をする (haji o suru)
→
恥をかく (haji o kaku)
Shame is something you 'incur' or 'scratch onto yourself', not 'do'.
-
目をかく (me o kaku)
→
目をこする (me o kosuru)
Using 'kaku' on eyes implies using nails, which is dangerous.
小贴士
Fixed Collocations
Always pair 'ase' (sweat) and 'ibiki' (snore) with 'kaku'. Using 'suru' is a common beginner mistake that sounds very unnatural.
The Magonote
If you need to scratch your back in Japan, ask for a 'magonote'. It's a great conversation starter about Japanese idioms!
Pitch Accent
Remember that 'KĀ-ku' (scratch) starts high and drops. This helps distinguish it from 'ka-KŪ' (write) in clear speech.
Hand Radical
The 扌 radical on the left of 掻 is your clue that this 'kaku' involves a physical hand action. Look for it to avoid confusion with 'write'.
Compound Verbs
'Kaki-' is a very productive prefix. Learning 'kaki-dasu' (scrape out) and 'kaki-atsumeru' (scrape together) will boost your B1 vocabulary.
Haji o Kaku Nuance
Use 'haji o kaku' for social blunders. If you just feel 'shy', use 'hazukashii' instead. 'Haji' is about reputation.
Yuki-kaki
In northern Japan, 'yuki-kaki' is a daily chore. Using this term instead of 'snow removal' makes you sound much more local.
Historical Root
'Kaku' once meant making any kind of mark. This is why 'scratch', 'write', and 'draw' all share the same pronunciation.
Head Scratching
In Japan, scratching the head is a sign of 'I'm sorry' or 'I'm confused'. Don't be surprised if people do it while apologizing.
Don't Scratch Your Eyes!
Never use 'kaku' for eyes. Use 'kosuru' (rub). Using 'kaku' implies you are using your nails on your eyeballs!
记住它
记忆技巧
Imagine a cat using its hand (扌) to scratch an itch caused by a flea (蚤). The sound 'kaku' is like the 'clack-clack' of nails against skin.
视觉联想
Picture a wooden backscratcher (magonote) shaped like a small hand, scraping across a back.
Word Web
挑战
Try to use 'kaku' in three different ways today: once for a physical itch, once for sweating, and once for a social situation.
词源
Derived from Old Japanese 'kaku', which denoted a repetitive motion of the hand or a tool against a surface.
原始含义： To scratch, scrape, or draw marks.
Japonic文化背景
Be careful when mentioning someone's snoring (ibiki) or sweating (ase), as these can be sensitive personal topics in Japan.
In English, we say 'breaking a sweat', but in Japanese, you 'scratch' it out. We also 'lose face', which is very similar to 'haji o kaku'.
在生活中练习
真实语境
Medical/Health
- 痒いところを掻く
- 汗をかく
- 湿疹を掻き壊す
- 寝汗をかく
Social Situations
- 恥をかく
- 大恥をかく
- 恥をかかせる
- 冷や汗をかく
Home/Daily Life
- 背中を掻く
- いびきをかく
- 孫の手で掻く
- 頭をかく
Winter/Weather
- 雪をかく
- 雪かきをする
- 乾燥で肌を掻く
- 一汗かく
Actions/Sports
- 櫂をかく
- 水をかく
- 掻き回す
- 掻き分ける
对话开场白
"最近、何か恥をかいたことはありますか？ (Have you embarrassed yourself recently?)"
"寝ている時にいびきをかきますか？ (Do you snore when you sleep?)"
"夏にたくさん汗をかいた後、何を飲みますか？ (What do you drink after sweating a lot in summer?)"
"背中が痒い時、どうやって掻きますか？ (When your back is itchy, how do you scratch it?)"
"雪かきをしたことがありますか？ (Have you ever shoveled snow?)"
日记主题
今日、恥をかいてしまった出来事について書いてください。 (Write about an event where you embarrassed yourself today.)
日本の夏と自分の国の夏の『汗のかき方』の違いについて。 (The difference between sweating in Japanese summer vs. your country.)
『あぐらをかく』という言葉の意味を、自分の経験に当てはめて考えてみましょう。 (Apply the meaning of 'resting on laurels' to your own experience.)
子供が『べそをかいている』のを見た時の気持ち。 (How you feel when you see a child on the verge of tears.)
雪国での生活と『雪かき』の大変さについて想像して書いてください。 (Imagine and write about the difficulty of snow shoveling in a snowy region.)
常见问题
10 个问题It is better to use 'hikkaku' or 'kizu o tsukeru' (to make a scratch/mark). 'Kaku' is primarily for itches or producing things like sweat.
'Ase o kaku' is the general process of sweating. 'Ase o nagasu' (to shed sweat) implies working hard or sweating profusely, like after a long run.
Yes, it generally implies a social blunder or loss of dignity. However, people often use it lightheartedly to describe small mistakes.
Etymologically, it's thought to come from the idea of the sound 'scraping' the throat or being 'drawn out' like a mark.
Yes, but the kanji is different (描く). In spoken Japanese, they sound the same, so context is needed.
It means to sit with your legs crossed in front of you (Indian style). Metaphorically, it means being lazy or arrogant in one's position.
Yes, every Japanese person knows it. It's the standard word for a backscratcher.
You use 'kezuru' (to shave/scrape off) for lottery tickets, not 'kaku'.
It can be used for stirring soup, or metaphorically for someone who enters a group and causes trouble or chaos.
No, for shaving a beard, you use 'soru'. For shaving wood, you use 'kezuru'.
自我测试 180 个问题
Translate: 'Please scratch my back.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I sweated a lot because it was hot.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'My father snores loudly.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I don't want to embarrass myself in front of everyone.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The baby is about to cry.' (Use beso)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I shoveled snow this morning.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Don't scratch the mosquito bite.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He is resting on his laurels.' (Idiom)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The noise drowned out the music.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Stir the soup well.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I scraped together some money.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He scratched his head and apologized.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I embarrassed myself by making a mistake.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The ship pushed through the waves.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I broke into a cold sweat.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Don't cause your parents to lose face.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I scratched my arm because it was itchy.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'She was Made to feel embarrassed.' (Passive)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I can't scratch my own back.' (Potential)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He is always snoring.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe a time you felt 'haji o kaku' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
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Ask someone to scratch your back because it is itchy.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Explain that you sweat a lot during exercise.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Complain about a roommate's snoring.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Tell a child not to scratch their rash.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
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Say that the noise is too loud and you can't hear. (Use kakikesu)
Read this aloud:
你说的：
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Say you need to shovel snow before going to work.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
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Describe someone who is being complacent. (Use agura)
Read this aloud:
你说的：
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Ask if someone has a backscratcher.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
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Say you were so nervous you had a cold sweat.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Explain how to stir a certain dish.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say a child was about to cry after falling.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Describe pushing through a crowd at a station.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say you gathered up all your strength. (Use kaki-atsumeru metaphorically)
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Tell someone not to embarrass you.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Describe the sound of a cat scratching.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say your back is itchy but you can't reach.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Explain why you took a shower. (Sweat)
Read this aloud:
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Apologize for snoring during a nap.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
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Say you were embarrassed because you forgot your wallet.
Read this aloud:
你说的：
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Listen to the sentence: 'Ase o kaku'. What is happening?
Listen: 'Haji o kaita'. How does the person feel?
Listen: 'Ibiki o kaku'. What sound is being made?
Listen: 'Yuki-kaki'. What season is it?
Listen: 'Senaka o kaku'. What is the person doing?
Listen: 'Kaki-mawasu'. What is the action?
Listen: 'Beso o kaku'. Who is likely the subject?
Listen: 'Hiya-ase o kaku'. Why is this happening?
Listen: 'Kai o kaku'. Where is the person?
Listen: 'Kaki-kesu'. What happened to the voice?
Listen: 'Agura o kaku'. What is the posture?
Listen: 'Magonote'. What object is being used?
Listen: 'Haji o kakaseru'. Who is embarrassed?
Listen: 'Kaki-atsumeru'. What is the result?
Listen: 'Kaki-midasu'. What is the effect?
Write a sentence about why you shouldn't scratch a bug bite.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about someone who is lazy using 'agura'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a short dialogue (2 lines) about snoring.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
掻く (kaku) is more than just scratching; it is the fundamental Japanese verb for 'producing' sweat, snoring, and social shame through a physical or metaphorical scraping action. Example: 恥をかかないように準備する (Prepare so as not to embarrass yourself).
- To scratch an itch using nails or a tool.
- To produce sweat (ase) or snoring (ibiki).
- To experience embarrassment or lose face (haji).
- To shovel snow or row a boat using scraping motions.
Fixed Collocations
Always pair 'ase' (sweat) and 'ibiki' (snore) with 'kaku'. Using 'suru' is a common beginner mistake that sounds very unnatural.
The Magonote
If you need to scratch your back in Japan, ask for a 'magonote'. It's a great conversation starter about Japanese idioms!
Pitch Accent
Remember that 'KĀ-ku' (scratch) starts high and drops. This helps distinguish it from 'ka-KŪ' (write) in clear speech.
Hand Radical
The 扌 radical on the left of 掻 is your clue that this 'kaku' involves a physical hand action. Look for it to avoid confusion with 'write'.
